Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs, who hurt his left quadriceps Wednesday, was not in the starting lineup against the Brewers on Thursday night, but was available to pinch-hit.
Jacobs could return to the lineup against the Nationals on Friday.
''It feels a lot better than what I thought it was going to feel like,'' said Jacobs, who took batting practice before Thursday's game. ``It's a day-to-day thing, and hopefully it will continue to feel well. The main reason I'm not playing [Thursday] is that if I can take it day-to-day, there's no reason to not take it. I don't want to go out there [Thursday] if it's not real, real good and make it worse. . . I'm 95 percent sure that I will be back in there [Friday].''
Jacobs was injured while rounding first base after hitting a deep drive over the wall in right-center wall for what could have been a home run. But the umpires ruled the ball was in play, and Jacobs had a double.
A CONVERT TO INSTANT REPLAY
Manager Fredi Gonzalez, who is not a proponent of instant replay, said he wouldn't mind baseball using instant replay to overturn some missed calls, such as the play involving Jacobs' double.
Replays appeared to show the ball hit the rail above the yellow line, which means Jacobs should have been credited with a home run.
''I would like instant replay in certain situations,'' Gonzalez said. ``When a home run is fair or foul, in a situation like that, but other than that, that's about it.''
FAST START FOR MARLINS
The Marlins (19-14) entered Thursday's game needing a victory to tie a franchise record for the best start through 34 games. The 2004 Marlins started 20-14 and finished 83-79.
Because of the trade of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers, the Marlins weren't expected to have such a fast start.
''I don't explain it,'' Gonzalez said of his team's start. ``I just say we're trying to win [Thursday's] ballgame.''
